* Actions have consequences, and the governor’s plan to close prisons has resulted in some negative consequences…
Inmates at six Illinois prisons will be bunking in gyms in the coming weeks as part of the state’s ongoing struggle with overcrowding.
With more than 49,000 inmates packed into space built for 33,000 prisoners, Illinois Department of Corrections Director S.A. Godinez notified the union representing prison employees on Wednesday of the pending changes.
Prisons in Vandalia, Danville, Centralia, Canton, Vienna and Hillsboro are affected.
“The gymnasiums in those facilities will be temporarily set up as dormitory units for minimum-security inmates,” Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano said in an email Thursday. […]
The state has shuttered the Tamms Correctional Center in southern Illinois and is moving to close the all-female Dwight Correctional Center. The loss of more than 1,000 beds at a time when the prison population continues to grow has raised concerns about a rise in violence.
The union representing Illinois prison workers is denouncing what it says is a return of “circuit riders” — hardcore, sometimes brutal inmates shipped from prison to prison to keep them out of trouble — after prisoners suspected in an attack last week were transferred to less-secure lockups, The Associated Press has learned.
In a letter Wednesday to Department of Corrections Director S.A. “Tony” Godinez, a regional director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees demanded an end to transfers until Godinez negotiates safety concerns with the union. […]
Caumiant’s letter said it’s a violation of Corrections’ administrative guidelines to move maximum-security inmates to facilities with lower levels of security.
“What’s more,” Caumiant said, “it is the height of irresponsibility to put employees of the receiving facilities in the position of taking inmates with no immediate knowledge of the violent crimes they have committed against employees and other inmates.”
* AFSCME is using guard attacks as physical proof that Quinn’s contract negotiations are causing real harm…
* US Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius had this to say yesterday during a press conference with Gov. Pat Quinn…
“I’m pleased also to be here with Gov. Quinn who has been an incredible leader during his term in office for health care, health reform, health initiatives…It’s my pleasure to introduce a great governor and a great leader on health care, Gov. Quinn.”
Sebelius was in Chicago to announce that she’d given conditional approval to Illinois’ health insurance exchange.
* The Question: Without snark, what do you think has been Gov. Quinn’s top accomplishment in office to date?
* A Senate committee voted unanimously this week to give ComEd what it wants…
Illinois legislators already gave Commonwealth Edison and Ameren the go-ahead to raise rates, in 2011. They passed a law over Governor Pat Quinn’s objections that changes the formula used to determine what the companies can charge. The new formula was supposed to get ComEd and Ameren more money they could use to pay for improvements to the electric grid.
But the utilities say it didn’t work as intended. They say regulators aren’t letting them charge what they need.
Now the companies are back , asking the legislature to pass another law, clarifying the old one. […]
Consumer watchdogs, like Scott Musser of AARP, say the new proposal is an end run around the courts and regulators.
Peoples-backed legislation introduced in the Illinois Senate Wednesday would permit the natural gas utility serving Chicago to boost delivery rates up to 5 percent annually over the next decade.
In return, Peoples would commit to a $1.2 billion infrastructure program centered on replacing the aging cast-iron pipes underneath city streets. Under the bill, that program would have to create at least 1,000 jobs at its peak. […]
As controversial as the “smart grid” law that allowed ComEd to hike rates annually was, this bill may be even more so.
“We have serious concerns with what we’ve seen,” said David Kolata, executive director of consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board. “Say what you will about the smart grid law, at least it had some measures in it that really are beneficial for consumers. We don’t see anything like that in this bill. We certainly don’t want to see it become law.”
The smart grid, if done right, would be very good for Illinois. Upgrading natural gas infrastructure would also be good for the state. A modern, functional infrastructure is absolutely crucial to a healthy economy, and infrastructure ain’t free, but that price tag does look awful high for no apparent reason other than ComEd got a similar deal for doing a lot more.
The Service Employees International Union is launching radio ads ripping former Rep. Debbie Halvorson’s (D-Ill.) on economic issues, making them the latest deep-pocketed group to go after her — but the first not to focus on her opposition to gun control.
The ad says Halvorson voted against extending unemployment benefits and voted for lower inheritance taxes, and “voted with Republicans 88 times.”
“She calls herself a Democrat but votes with Republicans over and over again,” the ad’s narrator says. “We need someone who will stand with President Obama.”
The narrator says to vote for one of the other candidates in the race — of which there are many. Halvorson, the only white candidate in a heavily African American district formerly held by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), has a chance to win because of the crowded field, her high name identification in the district and her support in the district’s far suburbs.
Mayor Bloomberg’s PAC, meanwhile, has upped its anti-Halvorson spending to $1.3 million.
* From a press release…
Robin Kelly, candidate for Illinois’ second Congressional district, released her fundraising numbers, current through February 13th.
Total Raised as of February 13: $417,727.19
Individual Contributors: 5,254
Average Contribution: $79.50
Nothing yet from Hutchinson. I’ll let you know.
* Speaking of Hutchinson, the Kankakee paper ran this story the other day…
Both Republicans and Democrats in Kankakee County are throwing support behind state Sen. Toi Hutchinson’s bid to take the 2nd Congressional District seat formerly held by Jessie Jackson Jr.
Kankakee County Republicans held a bipartisan rally for Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, on Monday, and the Kankakee County Democratic Central Committee handed her a unanimous endorsement earlier in the day. The rally, held at The Homestead Restaurant in Kankakee, featured county and municipal officials from both political parties. […]
Bruce Adams, a Democrat and mayor of Bradley, one of Kankakee County’s Democratic strongholds, said both parties recognized the benefits of working together. […]
Mike Bossert, Republican Kankakee County Board chairman, said his party agreed with the approach.
“It’s about getting our county behind a candidate who supports us,” Bossert said. “We thought we’d put partisan issues aside and come together.”
* But a subsequent letter to the editor by the county’s Republican Party Chairman says Bossert was quoted out of context and that the rally wasn’t a rally…
This bi-partisan “Meet and Greet” held at the Homestead Restaurant Monday evening was attended by members of the community from all party affiliations. While several Republican elected officials were present, this is NOT to be construed as an endorsement by the local Republican Party for a Democratic candidate. In fact nothing could be further from the truth. […]
As chairman of the Kankakee County Republican Central Committee, I was appalled at the following statement reported in the Journal today, “Mike Bossert, Republican Kankakee County Board Chairman, said his party agreed with the approach.” In speaking with Chairman Bossert, he asserts that he was very specific with The Daily Journal’s reporter that his presence at the event was not an endorsement of the Democratic candidate. Rather, his attributed quote was an agreement with a previous statement that elected officials should work together for the benefit of their constituents. To this clarification, I agree, not the implication left in The Daily Journal’s article.
That’s a bit confusing because the county board chairman did say the event was about “getting our county behind a candidate who supports us.” Either way, Hutchinson obviously does have some local GOP support.
* Dave McKinney at the Sun-Times has been writing about the doubts regarding the Lincoln Museum’s claim that it has an original Abe Lincoln stovepipe hat. The Lincoln Presidential Library’s foundation board paid $6.5 million to Louise Taper, a collector who also happens to sit on the board.
A descendant of the hat’s owner, claimed in 1958 in an affidavit that the stovepipe was given to her father-in-law by Lincoln during the Civil War. The library claims it was given to the man by Lincoln during an 1858 debate with Stephen Douglas. The library/museum’s curator James Cornelius had this to say last year…
“I guess you’d say we’ve taken something of a historic liberty in re-dating it to a much more plausible time and place,” Cornelius said then.
So, it’s like a Gore Vidal historical novel or something?
* I dunno, but a couple members of the foundation board, including Tony Leone, tried this week to get the board to approve DNA testing. He failed…
The panel did not vote on Leone’s push to have the hat tested for Lincoln’s DNA, a difficult task since Lincoln has no living descendents and his blood exists on precious artifacts from his assassination that might have to be altered for testing purposes.
When Leone brought up the idea, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s curator, James Cornelius, angrily interrupted Leone and belittled his idea.
“This is a dead issue,” Cornelius snapped. “Dandruff, bone, hair, forget it. It’s not there.” […]
Fischer, the board’s chairwoman, said she has concerns about “the potential damage” that DNA testing might cause to the hat and any artifact bearing Lincoln’s blood from the night of his assassination and embraces Cornelius’ explanation of how the hat wound up with William Waller.
“That’s history. We accept it,” Fischer said.
You don’t just “accept” history, particularly when facts have clearly been altered.
Are these people just stupid or arrogant or hiding something or all three?
* Another board member summed up why Chairwoman Fischer is a doofus…
“I haven’t heard an explanation that fully satisfies me about the provenance of the hat. I’m sure somebody can explain it beautifully, but I just haven’t heard it,” said board member Shirley Portwood, a retired Southern Illinois University history professor who said she was troubled by the “large gap” in the hat’s history and believes DNA testing is in order.
“There’s a period of time where it’s not clear where the hat was, and I, as a historian, would have a problem with that. Even in a paper I was writing about it, I would have to have a footnote that said, ‘according to family lore, such and such,’ rather than it had been documented for the entire … 150 years,” Portwood said.
Maybe DNA testing isn’t possible or could damage other artifacts. I don’t know. But the board’s credibility is rapidly vanishing with this fictional account and a stubborn refusal to verify.
* Another poll result from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Click the pic for a larger image…
* From the Institute…
“I think it is widely believed that Illinois is a fairly liberal state on the social issues front and these results certainly provide some empirical support for that perception,” said John S. Jackson, visiting professor at the Institute.
“The additional perception is that Chicago and the suburban collar counties are more liberal than downstate and our results also tend to support that view although even downstate provided a plurality or a majority in favor of the liberal position on all of these issues [abortion, gaming, medical marijuana] except gay marriage, where the most popular response downstate was in favor of civil unions,” he said.
* Gay marriage is up for a vote in the Senate today, where it’s expected to pass (keep an eye on the live session blog post for updates).
But some Downstate Democrats are trying hard to distance themselves from their party’s position. From a press release…
State Sen. Bill Haine (D-Alton) and state Rep. Dan Beiser (D-Alton) each filed an amendment to the Illinois Constitution, that would only allow marriage to be between a man and a woman.
“The family unit is the most important part of our community,” said Haine. “Strong families make sure that their children are taught good manners and are given the tools they need to succeed. Our community understands and values the traditional family, and I will continue to defend the values we hold dear.”
Haine introduced Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 8 and Beiser introduced House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 4, both stipulate that only marriage between a man and a woman will be recognized in Illinois. Either SJRCA 8 or HJRCA 4 would need to pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it will be placed put on the ballot in the next general election. To be added to the constitution, the amendment must be approved by 60 percent of voters and would become effective as soon as it is approved.
“There is a lot of discussion right now about changing the definition of marriage in Illinois, which would fundamentally alter communities across the state,” said Beiser. “Such a big change should not be pushed on the people on Illinois, unless they demonstrate that they want it. That is why I believe this issue must be brought before every voter. We must stand together and defend our values.”
Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon’s surprise announcement Wednesday that she won’t stand for re-election next year could signal that she’s ready for bigger things, possibly a run at state attorney general.
But it’s a more ominous signal for her boss, Gov. Pat Quinn. After months of fiscal catastrophe and dismal poll numbers, it looks to some in the Illinois political world as if Quinn has been abandoned by a running mate who wants off a sinking ship.
Simon and Quinn, both Democrats, aren’t putting it that way publicly. Others are.
“If he’s really unpopular, and she’s running with him, they go down together. She doesn’t control her destiny,” noted Paul Green, political scientist at Roosevelt University in Chicago. “No one votes (based on) the lieutenant governor.”
State Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan, said he believes there will be a scramble for the attorney general’s post if Madigan decides to challenge Quinn.
“I think you’ll have three, four or more on both sides of the aisle running for that position,” Link said. “So, I mean, is she qualified? Yeah, she’s qualified, but is she the best candidate? Who knows? We’ll see who all puts their hat in the ring.”
ABC 7 political analyst Laura Washington says Simon’s decision may have come with some assurances.
“It’s in Lisa Madigan’s interest to have Sheila Simon step away from Pat Quinn and move away because it makes Pat Quinn look even weaker and Lisa Madigan a stronger candidate,” Washington said.
“Well I know this: The Madigan’s - Lisa and Mike - don’t do anything that isn’t in their self, political and personal interest so it very well could be some kind of deal,” Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady said.
I guess Lisa Madigan could’ve been directly involved here. More likely, though, Simon saw the writing on the wall.
With Governor Pat Quinn’s approval rating down in the mid 20s, it’s tempting to think Sheila Simon wants off the governor’s coattails.
But Tom Cross, the Republican Leader of the House doesn’t think so, “I read it just as somebody with some ambition. I don’t think anyone thinks the lieutenant governor’s office is a place where you get to do a whole lot or have a big impact on policy. She may also just be a little frustrated and frankly bored!”
A Quinn aide attributed his poll standing to continued fallout from his role in increasing the state income tax, cutting Medicaid benefits and angering labor with his push to cut pensions, close state facilities and withhold pay raises to government workers.
“Real leadership requires tough decisions and unfortunately, our predecessors may have been able to do easy popular things, but we’re cleaning up quite a mess,” Quinn spokeswoman Brooke Anderson said. “Tough decisions aren’t immediately popular, or they wouldn’t be tough.”
But those who serve as lieutenant governor have been known to grow tired of the post, which has few official duties except to fill in should something happen to the governor.
Former Democratic Gov. Dan Walker, Quinn’s political mentor, held the post in such low esteem that he refused to give running mate Neil Hartigan an office in the state Capitol. Hartigan was forced to borrow space from the secretary of state. Hartigan’s successor, Republican Dave O’Neal, grew so bored with the position that he resigned midway through his second term.
Republican Gov. Jim Edgar’s No. 2, Bob Kustra, tried to quit in his first term to become a radio talk show host. But he returned after Edgar underwent emergency heart bypass surgery. He eventually left the post several months before his term ended to become a university president.
A state senator from Champaign says he’s looking at running for statewide office in 2014.
Sen. Mike Frerichs, a Democrat who has served in the General Assembly since 2006, joins a growing list of potential candidates mulling bids for spots on the ballot.
As a former county auditor, it is expected Frerichs is looking at one of the state’s fiscal offices, such as comptroller or treasurer.
“I’m excited to take what I’ve learned from my time as state senator and use it to help the entire state of Illinois,” he noted in a fundraising letter sent to supporters.
* From the latest Paul Simon Public Policy Institute poll…
Some in Springfield have proposed that the state should make it legal for people with certain health issues to be prescribed small amounts of marijuana. Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose legalized medical marijuana in Illinois?
In case you’re somewhat math-challenged, that’s 63.3 percent in favor and 32.1 percent opposed.
* Methodology…
The poll of 600 registered voters in Illinois was taken Jan 27 to Feb 8. The statewide sample has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
